How to Prevent Your Utilities From Being Shut Off

Minnesota's Bankruptcy Law Firm for More Than 40 Years

Keeping the lights on and the furnace running are major priorities. The high cost of energy can cause financial distress and add to your already unmanageable bills. There are steps you can take to prevent the shut-off of your utilities or get them turned back on again. You may even be able to discharge all or a portion of your past-due utility bills by filing bankruptcy.

At Prescott Pearson & Tande, PA, we help people obtain debt relief through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings, including relief from utility debts. We will use our decades of experience with bankruptcy and debt relief to help you find the solutions you need.

Preventing Utility Shut-Offs in Minnesota

If you are having trouble paying your utility bills, you have several options. You can:

Work out a repayment plan with the utility — All Minnesota public utilities have payment plan options that allow customers to pay back past-due utility bills over time. If you are filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy, we can include the past-due amount in your Chapter 13 repayment plan. Because utility bills are unsecured debts, the remaining utility debt will be discharged at the end of your Chapter 13 repayment period.

Apply for the utility's low-income energy assistance program — These programs provide subsidized energy to people who meet certain income requirements. The websites of Minnesota utilities contain information about how to apply.

If your utilities have been shut off:

Make a deposit to the utility — This can restore your service. If you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your utility debts will be completely discharged, because they are classified as unsecured debts. If you file Chapter 13 bankruptcy, your past-due utility debts can be rolled into your repayment plan.

In either situation, you should also ask the gas and electric utilities to perform a free energy audit. Following their recommendations can potentially reduce your monthly utility bills by a significant amount.

Prescott Pearson & Tande, PA, has helped more than 70,000 people obtain debt relief. We want to help you get a fresh start. Contact us for a free consultation with a bankruptcy lawyer.

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Minneapolis-St. Paul Area: 651-968-8096

Minnesota Toll Free: 888-366-0827

Our attorneys are here to help you. If you are having trouble paying your utility bills or have already had your utilities shut off, call or email a lawyer from our firm to discuss your situation in a free consultation.

We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

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